When you run a restaurant or other type of food service establishment, there is (or at least should be) a constant focus on organization and cleanliness in your kitchen spaces. Your refrigerator is one of the most important parts of that space, and a cluttered, dirty fridge can be a source of bacteria while also causing your fridge to work harder to cool items.
Therefore, it’s always good to take some time every month to go through your commercial walk-in cooler in Eugene, OR to organize your items and clean the equipment. Here are some tips to help you get the job done:
Unplug the unit: Obviously, the last thing you want is to accidentally electrocute yourself. Therefore, unplug the refrigeration unit before you perform any other task.
Clear all shelves: Remove all of the products in your refrigerator. Don’t just move them to the other side of the fridge—take them out. A good time to do this is before you receive a new shipment of food so you don’t have to have too much food sitting out. Use coolers for temporary storage while you clean out your refrigeration unit.
Throw away old, expired food: It’s easy to lose track of perishable food items, especially if they are concealed behind other items in your refrigerator. If you have any reason to suspect something is spoiled, you should throw it away. Check all expiration dates and, as the saying goes, “when in doubt, throw it out.”
Clean the fridge with warm, soapy water: Fill a bucket with a mixture of soap and warm water and grab a sponge, then go to work on wiping down the entire interior of the refrigerator. Remove any spills or messes that have built up. If you have a hard time getting out any grimy areas or stains, you might need to use a toothbrush or other type of brush with strong, flexible bristles. Once you have completed this process, rinse out the areas you’ve washed with clean water.
Disinfect: Once you have cleaned with soap and water, you can sanitize all surfaces with a disinfectant. Any chemical you choose for this job should be food safe. You don’t need to use too much of the sanitizer to get the job done.
Clean the coils and condenser: Once you’ve completely cleaned out the inside of the fridge and the shelves, pay some attention to the condenser and coils. Here, dust and debris tend to build up and cause your machine to work harder than it needs to, which can shorten its lifespan. Therefore, use a vacuum to get rid of all this dust.
Restock shelves: Once you have completed all of these processes and are satisfied with the cleanliness of your fridge, put all of your food items you will continue to use and save back into place in an organized fashion.
These simple steps will help you get the most out of your refrigerator cleaning process. For more information about cleaning and maintaining commercial walk-in coolers in Eugene, OR, contact American Refrigeration Inc. today.
Whether it’s in your home kitchen or in a commercial kitchen at a restaurant or cafeteria, your refrigerator is one of the most important appliances you have. You must keep it operating correctly to ensure all your food stays fresh.
Of course, like with any appliance, there are going to be occasional problems that arise. This doesn’t necessarily mean you immediately need to contract a refrigerator service professional—in fact, some of the most common refrigerator issues are ones you can resolve yourself.
Here are a few examples of some of those common problems you can fix without having to call a contractor who specializes in commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR.
The refrigerator cycles too often
Refrigerators shouldn’t constantly run. Not only will this quickly become a nuisance when you’re in the kitchen because of the constant noise, but it will also lead to more expensive energy bills, as your refrigerator is one of the most power-intensive appliances you have in your kitchen. Plus, a refrigerator that constantly runs is much more likely to break down earlier.
Usually refrigerators that constantly cycle have buildups of dust or debris around the condenser coils. This is easy to fix. Cut off power to the refrigerator, then access the coils in the back. Remove the grill by popping off the snaps that keep it in place, and then use a vacuum cleaner to remove the majority of the buildup. If any remains after that, you can use a brush or cloth to remove it before putting the grill back on and restoring power.
If debris on the condenser coils isn’t a problem, there’s also a chance that you have set the refrigerator temperature too low. You should keep your setting between 37 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
The refrigerator is leaking water
If you notice water puddling underneath your refrigerator, don’t panic—the problem might not be extremely serious. One of the most common causes is a blocked defrost drain, so if this is the problem, all you need to do is clear the blockage. You can either flush the drain with warm water or use a pipe cleaner or coat hanger to remove a solid clog.
Other times, supply lines bringing water to the fridge can develop cracks or leaks, or could get frozen, which will result in water puddling underneath the fridge. If the water line itself is damaged, you can easily get a replacement. Otherwise, defrosting the line might solve the problem.
The freezer has an ice buildup
You shouldn’t have too much ice built up on the inside walls of the freezer. This might happen from leaving the freezer door open too long, in which case all you need to do is adjust your freezer-using habits. The door might also not be sealing, so you should first try cleaning the seal. The gasket could also be an issue, which would mean it would need to be replaced.
For more information about common problems with commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR and how you can solve them, contact American Refrigeration Inc. today.
When you think of leaks in the kitchen, you might expect them to come from the sink or the dishwasher. However, some refrigerators have icemakers or water dispensers, which means they could be to blame for water leaks in your kitchen.
The good news is that any leaks you see puddling underneath your refrigerator are going to be entirely water, as the coolant used in the appliance is a gas, not a liquid. However, you still need to take some immediate action to address the leak before you do any significant damage to your appliance or flooring.
Here is some information from a company specializing in commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR about what to do if your fridge is leaking.
Check the defrost drain
A blocked defrost drain could be the cause of leaks coming from your refrigerator. This should be the first spot in the appliance that you check out and attempt troubleshooting. Food particles or ice can jam up the area where the drain opens up, which will prevent water from the defrost cycle draining down into the pan. If the water builds up to a certain extent, it will start leaking out of the refrigerator.
You can clean out the drain by flushing it with hot water. A stiff wire can be used to remove solid blockages if necessary.
Check the drain pan
Sometimes the drain pan at the very bottom of the refrigerator can be the source of the leak if it develops a crack or hole. While small amounts of water will occasionally accumulate inside the drain pan, that water should not escape the pan—the pan is designed to prevent it from leaking outside of the refrigerator. Instead, the water in the drain pan should evaporate before leaking, as the condenser fan consistently blows warm air across the surface.
Pull out the drain pan and check for any signs of cracking or damage. If the pan is damaged, it can easily be replaced.
Look at connections to the icemaker
Sometimes the water lines that connect to the icemaker can come loose from the machine, or the seals holding it in place can form cracks. When this happens, the water line will leak and cause pooling under or around the refrigerator. The hoses themselves could also crack or tear, or develop kinks that cause leaks to form.
If the supply line is the issue, there will probably be water running from that line down to the floor. You can either tighten the connections or replace the line entirely. Sometimes the connectors themselves need to be replaced as well.
Check the water filter
Improper connections between the water supply and water filter can cause leakage issues. The filter could be installed incorrectly, or it could be the wrong size or model for the appliance. Check the filter, and if this is the issue causing the leak, make the replacement.
For more information about how to address refrigerator leaks, contact a contractor who provides service for commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR.
If you’re starting up a brewery or expanding your startup to pursue bigger and better production capabilities, you’re likely going to be making an investment in brewery equipment. And, when it comes to installing and integrating this equipment into your operations, it’s important to also invest in professional oversight—specifically the kind that comes from expertise with commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR.
Trusting a refrigeration expert is just about the best decision you can make for a number of reasons. Let’s take a look at five of them:
First and foremost, there’s a lot of heating and cooling that comes with the brewing process. From boiling the ingredients and working with the mash, to chilling and refrigerating the finished brew, temperature control is critical. Knowing that your heating and cooling components are set up flawlessly will lead to confidence while brewing.
Second, a refrigeration expert will be able to integrate new equipment into any existing setup you might have. This is vital for not interrupting your existing brewing process or capabilities. The last thing you want to do is take two steps forward and one step back! Seamless integration is important and it’s something a commercial HVAC expert can offer.
Facilities setup is a third important reason to trust an HVAC and cooling professional. Breweries are often cramped, busy places. Having your equipment set up to ensure mobility and efficiency is important. Working with a cooling expert who has brewery equipment installation experience means maximizing your facilities and, in turn, your production efficiency.
Thinking long-term, having an HVAC and cooling expert handle your installation is going to pave the way for maintenance and repairs in the future. If you’re able to work with the same company from the get-go, your equipment will get a higher standard of service through consistency. You won’t have to worry about patchwork maintenance or repairs when you rely on the same individual or company time after time.
Finally, troubleshooting oversight is going to be a big reason to work with an expert. There’s a lot that could go wrong when it comes to commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR. Having a professional who knows your setup means being able to get to the bottom of trouble fast, before it impacts your production. Instead of getting bad batches that lower your fulfillment, you’ll be able to figure out what’s wrong quicker, minimizing downtime.
Brewery equipment demands a keen understanding when it comes to installation. Be sure you’re leaving the installation to a professional with time-tested experience. Not only will you get a better level of performance and integration right at the outset, you’ll also get long-term peace of mind.
Whether you’re scaling up your budding brewery or you’re kicking the tires on your first large-scale brewing operation, the team at American Refrigeration Inc. is ready to provide you with a complete scope of services, tailored around brewing equipment installation. We want to be your long-term partner for operational success—get in touch with us today!
The operation of your commercial wine chiller is vital to your winery’s operations. Being able to reliably chill wine means being able to produce a product that’s ready for testing, packaging, serving or cellaring. If your chiller is on the fritz, you’re going to be left with a product that’s at risk of spoiling.
Don’t settle for room temperature wine that’s lacking in flavor or integrity! If your commercial chiller is on the fritz, call for commercial cooler repair in Eugene, OR and restore its function as quickly as possible. And, while you’re at it, it’s important to take stock of a few simple tips for proper maintenance, to help prevent any future breakdowns or inefficiencies:
Make sure your chiller is properly ventilated. Improper ventilation is one of the chief causes of a unit’s breakdown and can have long-term ramifications to its efficiency. Depending on the type of chiller you have, it may have either front or rear venting. Determine where your venting is located and make sure it’s never blocked or obstructed in any way.
Understand the effects of ambient temperature. If your chiller is located near anything hot or placed directly in an area of heavy sunlight, there’s a chance this ambient temperature could affect the performance of your unit. It’s smart to relocate and position your chiller away from other winery equipment and make sure direct sunlight is limited to a minimum.
Know the capacity. Nothing will cause problems for your chiller like overexertion. If you exceed its capacity, the sensors within the chiller will register higher temperatures for longer, since there’s more chilling to be done. Over time, this causes excess stress on the unit, which leads to premature breakdown of parts and components. Stick to the capacity listed and make sure you’re not exceeding the efficiency standards of the unit.
Clean your unit routinely. Cleaning your wine chiller will also serve to improve its efficiency and overall operation. If the chiller is kept clean and given the routine maintenance it needs, it won’t have to work as hard to accomplish its job of chilling your wine.
Pay attention to filtration. Chillers have a filtration component that helps them to keep the air within clean and purified, which in turn promotes better performance. These filters need to be changed out and replaced in routine intervals, to ensure they’re not having the inverse effect and making it harder for the unit to do its job.
Of course, in addition to all of the above, you’re going to want to have an HVAC professional out on a regular basis to inspect your chiller and provide any commercial cooler repair in Eugene, OR that might be needed to keep it running smoothly.
Staying on top of your chiller’s function will ultimately help you avoid costly breakdowns or inefficient operation, which can end up costing you money and leading to spoilage or tainting of your wine. The best approach to maintaining your chiller is a proactive one.
